Preparing her second graders for first Eucharist, Sr. Rita fielded this question from Lucinda: “Sister why do saints’ statues have halos around their heads?”  Sr. Rita replied, “That’s to remind us that these saints are now wrapped in God’s glory.”  Lucinda then asked: “What makes glory, glory?” Sr. Rita responded, “It’s a high honor awarded for achieving great and wonderful things like sainthood.”

            Jesus defines glory slightly differently than Sr. Rita.  Real glory, for Jesus, is never the glory like winning an Olympic gold medal, or an Oscar. Nor is it like an object of envy because of a person’s handsome appearance or astonishing achievements.

            Jesus wants glory to flow from a deep pool within the heart, overflowing with compassion, forgiveness, and graciousness. These are not spawned by worldly success or being beautiful, brighter, richer, or better than those standing next to us.

            When Jesus did address glory in his lifetime, both times Jesus applied a different insight into glory’s meaning. Such as when James and John, his much-loved disciples, surprised him with this request. 

            They asked for the honor of sitting one at Jesus’ right hand and one at Jesus’ left hand when he entered his glory in his father’s house. Astounded as he was, Jesus takes their request seriously and decides not to point to their pride, but instead to explain the depth of the meaning of that request.

            Jesus asks them, “Can you drink from the cup of suffering that I shall drink?”  In innocence, they answer, “We can!”  Jesus replies: “The cup that I shall drink you shall drink. But as for the seats of glory at my right hand or left hand,” he replies, “these are not mine to give.” 

            Jesus is saying that all who follow him will meet pain in life, and even taste suffering. Often this pain cuts quite deeply.  When wounds cut deeply,  compassion and forgiveness can flow freely.  Or the opposite may happen.  The pain unleashed may be so hurtful it only releases bitterness and anger, which may reinforce faithfulness, or weaken it . The choice is the choice of every follower to make.

            But, as we see from the gospels, real glory doesn’t consist in outshining neighbors or anyone else.  Nailed to the cross and in excruciating pain, Jesus is challenged to prove that he is the Messiah and God’s son by doing some spectacular gesture that would leave all of his detractors stunned and helpless.  The mob began yelling: “If you are the Son of God, prove it, come down off the cross!  Save yourself!”

            From the cross and in pain, Jesus, not by doing some spectacular physical act that leaves everyone around him helpless, but with a spectacular act of the heart, shows his courage and power. He forgives those who mock him and those who are trying to kill him. He turns to Dismas, the thief crucified beside him saying, “On this day you will be with me in Paradise.”  Jesus’ power is manifested for all to hear.  It is mercy and forgiveness, not a sword or other a classy exhibition.  

            In his last minutes alive on this earth, Jesus shows real glory, as humility, mercy, and compassion.  These are the powerful virtues which make God mighty and omnipotent.

            Jesus stands today immensely powerful in the face of jealousy, and hatred, hoping that we too will stand firm beside him during our watch.  Jesus believes it is never too late to be what Jesus hopes we can be in this present moment! With his gift of grace and love we can!